BEC Business Transformation Theatre

Circular Packaging: Rethinking Solutions to Our Plastics Crisis

Day 2 : 11:45 – 12:35

It is no secret that the plastics crisis is one that is deeply troubling with millions of tons of plastic ending up in our oceans, clogging our landfills or being burned or leaked in the environment. It is integral to rethink how we can redesign the use plastic, otherwise there may be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. This discussion will navigate the challenges of plastic use and the reuse of it as well as explore potential alternatives for packaging in a circular economy.

Learnings

  • What options are there for plastic use in a circular economy?
  • How can businesses rethink the use of plastic and what options are there for circular packaging?

Post-event Actions

  • Understand the full life cycle of current plastic solutions in Hong Kong.
  • Be able to consider various options for packaging in the circular economy.
  • Re- evaluate current business practices in consideration of the current tangent that plastic use is taking us.

Speakers

Lianne Ng

Sustainability Advisor

Lianne is a Sustainability Advisor at The Purpose Business providing advisory to and working with organisations on sustainability strategies, action plans, reporting and sustainability communications.

In her previous role as Director of External Affairs and Sustainability at Vitasoy, Lianne led the company’s sustainability strategy development and implementation. Her direction helped strengthen Vitasoy’s sustainability efforts, culminating in the inclusion of Vitasoy in the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index and its advancement in global sustainability index rankings. Lianne also initiated many waste reduction efforts working with various stakeholders and supported the establishment of Hong Kong’s first beverage carton recycling facility.

Lianne’s 20-year career spans corporate communications and public, government and community affairs. She has an MBA from the School of Management at University of Bradford (UK) and a Bachelor of Social Sciences from HKU.

My Sustainability Goals for 2023:

It would be great to see Hong Kong demonstrating real leadership in making systematic and meaningful progress towards a sustainable future for the planet and the people.

Keith Choy

Head of Green LivingTech Unit

Dr. Keith Choy is the Head of Green LivingTech Unit in HKPC with over 25 years of experience in professional experience in green technology research & development, environmental management, engineering, with expertise in waste recycling and management, wastewater reuse/treatment, chemical technology, food technology as well as design and implementation of smart manufacturing process/technology for recycling industry and food industry. Keith has extensive experience in leading environmental policy research and studies, development and implementation, as well as stakeholders’ engagement on policies and initiatives of government and corporations.

Keith also has direct responsibility for managing large scale environmental management projects in the role of project director/ manager. The clients for these projects include Hong Kong & Macau Governments, public organizations, environmental and building services consultants, industrial and commercial sectors.

Steve Deng

Director, Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability (PACS) , HKTMM

Steve Deng, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Director for The Coca-Cola Company’s HKTMM (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and Mongolia) markets. Steve is an experienced Public Affairs and Communications professional, having served a number of PR firm and multinational companies including Ketchum PR China, Mars Wrigley China, and Carlsberg Asia, etc.

My Sustainability Goals for 2023:

Coca-Cola is committed to sustainable packaging, aiming for 100% recyclable materials, reducing plastic waste, and increasing recycling rates to create a circular economy.

Kim Siu

Business Innovation and Planning Director

As Business Innovation and Planning Director of Watsons Water, Kim is responsible for strategic planning, brand marketing, knowledge and insights, research and development, eCommerce development, change management, sustainability, and public affairs.

Kim was appointed as General Manager – Sales and Marketing, by Watsons Water and Citrus Grower International, back in 2012. Since then, Kim had been working closely with the industry, expert groups, the Hong Kong SAR Government and NGO sector concerning plastic wastes, to develop sustainable manufacturing best practices and to enable the company and wider industry to play their respective roles in driving social responsibility.

In 2015, five years ahead of other major players in the market, Watsons Water launched the first 100% rPET bottle in Asia, opening the door to the circular economy of plastic waste in Hong Kong. This journey has progressed and has moved beyond package Redesign and Recycle –Watsons Water continues to lead the industry in Recovery, Reduce, and Reuse.

My Sustainability Goals for 2023:

To inspire more people finding stronger and more unique reasons to become bigger contributors in sustainability.

Chui Man Yip

Project Manager

Ms. Yip has been working in Greeners Action (GA) for more than 10 years. She has solid experience of various waste reduction projects, such as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) charging trial schemes, food waste reduction and auditing program, plastic reduction and zero packaging program. She also involves in policy advocacy to the government and overseas exchange.

She helps to initiate Umbrella Bags Reduction Accreditation Program to properties by providing feasible solutions to them and now in charge of annual signature program: Lai See Reuse and Recycle Program. She established a team of Green Events waste reduction and consultation and Food Waste Audit for waste clean recycling education and reduction recommendation. She built up good relationship with different parties such as food related trades, shopping centres, housing estates, property management companies, Government representatives, schools and recycling industries.

My Sustainability Goals for 2023:

Zero Plastics Waste by 2050.

Supported by

With thanks to